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Bebop Spoken There

Jackie Paris: "A singer's got to be able to tell a story. Frank Sinatra and Nat Cole are best at that; Mel Tormé too. I like to take a lyric that means something and sing it right to the person it was meant for." - (DownBeat October 11, 1962).

When I first heard about this Decatet playing at the Splinter
gig I was concerned that the band members might outnumber the audience. I
needn’t have worried one of the percussionists (Steve Dinsdale) had to drop out
(eaten on the way up according Martin Archer) so now reduced to a nontet the
numbers were once again in favour of the audience. As it happens a more than
reasonable sized crowd were treated to a memorable gig. Those risk adverse jazz
fans who stayed away missed out on one of the most enjoyable and creative gigs
of the year. Band leader Archer
appears to be a musical cross between Clive Anderson and Alan Carr. In addition
to his multi reed playing he composed, cajoled, conducted, cavorted and
chanted throughout the evening.

The ensemble kicked off with Junko
Heart Bad Time from Slackwater described
by Archer as a medley of everything we have ever played and what a joy it was
too - vibrant, flamboyant and featuring plenty of melodies for those who like
to have a tune with their jazz.

Although everyone in the Nontet made an outstanding
contribution a special mention has to go to Watt Shaw on percussion who made up
for the absence of Steve Dinsdale with an octopus like performance of animated
percussion . The first set concluded withSatin
Lanterna short piece
introduced by Archer as a ‘Salsa’; members of the audience were invited
to dance with the band leader but sadly no one took him up on his offer.

After the interval the band performed its most
complex pieceYou Will Never Know
mewhich was conceived in 3
separate units, the first Section comprising bass, piano and vibes, the
second reeds and violin and the third percussion. The piece felt almost
Classical in a Bartokian way and it would be unfair to single out any performer
such was the sheer class of all involved. At the piece’s conclusion
Archer suggested that it could have been renamedWe will never know it! The
evening concluded with a cover of ‘Hard
Blues’ which was simply magnificent – upbeat, uptempo, uplifting and
a duet between Archer on Soprano and Mwamba on vibes was absolutely
mesmerising. A wonderfully entertained audience snaked its way down the
Bridge staircase and onto Castle Garth still buzzing with excitement and
admiration for what they had just experienced.

About this blog - contact details.

Bebop Spoken Here -- Here, being the north-east of England -- centred in the blues heartland of Newcastle and reaching down to the Tees Delta and looking upwards to the Land of the Kilt.Not a very original title, I know; not even an accurate one as my taste, whilst centred around the music of Bird and Diz, extends in many directions and I listen to everything from King Oliver to Chick Corea and beyond. Not forgetting the Great American Songbook the contents of which has provided the inspiration for much great jazz and quality popular singing for round about a century.The idea of this blog is for you to share your thoughts and pass on your comments on discs, gigs, jazz - music in general. If you've been to a gig/concert or heard a CD that knocked you sideways please share your views with us. Tell us about your favourites, your memories, your dislikes.Lance (Who wishes it to be known that he is not responsible for postings other than his own and that he's not always responsible for them.)

Submissions for review

Whilst we appreciate the many emails, texts, messages and other communications we receive requesting album/gig reviews on BSH, regrettably, we are unable to reply to all of them other than those we are able to answer with a positive response.

Similarly, CDs received by post will only be considered if accompanied by sufficient background material.

Finally, bear in mind that this is a jazz-based site when submitting your album.